Hemochromatosis is a disease in which too much iron builds up in your body. You need iron, but too much is toxic.
What happens
- You absorb more iron than you need.
- Your body has no natural way to get rid of the extra.
- It stores it in tissues, especially the liver, heart and pancreas.
- The extra iron can damage those organs and, untreated, make them fail.
Two types
| Type | Cause |
|---|---|
| Primary | inherited |
| Secondary | usually something else, such as anemia, thalassemia, liver disease or blood transfusions |
Symptoms
Not everyone has symptoms, and many resemble other diseases. They can include joint pain, fatigue, general weakness, weight loss and stomach pain.
Diagnosis and treatment
Doctors diagnose it from your medical and family history, a physical exam, and tests and procedures. Treatment includes removing blood (and with it iron), medicines and changes to your diet.
Sources
Based on "Hemochromatosis," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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